Protective window construction



Nov. 26, 1940. c. D. ELLITHORPE l 2,223,169

PROTECTIVE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 :I INVENTOR Clare/ace Filed June 3, 1958 Nov., 26, 1940. c. D. ELLrrHoRPE PROTECTIVE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed June 3, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNETED STATES PROTECTIVE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Clarence D. Ellithcrpe, Springfield Gardens, N. Y.,

assigner to Duplex Electric Co., New York, N. Y., n

a corporation of Delaware Application June 3, 1938, Serial No. 211,514

This invention relates to improvements in bullet proof partition structures and more particularly to such a structure as adapted for bank tellers Window cages and similar purposes.A

f1 In the provision of bullet resisting structures, especially for bank tellers, and others protecting valuables, it is essential to provide not only for undistorted conversation, but also for unobstructed vision, and for free transfer of articles such lo as coin, pass books, check books, etc. Heretofore, it has been found very difficult to provide a structure having the necessary requirements without some opening through which a possible robber could shoot. The teller was usually vun 15 able to fully protect his valuables and was usual'- ly restrained from operating an alarm.

The principal obfject of my invention is to provide an improved partition structure for tellers cages and the like which not only has unobstruct- Z ed vision and sound channels for undistorted sound, but is also provided with package transfer means by which free movements of articles across the partition can be had Without danger to the teller. v

2;, A more speciiic object of the invention is to provide in a bullet resisting partition structure, sound channels which provide a natural ampliiication without distortion of sound waves, each channel being provided with means to deflect and reverse the path of any possible entering bullets so that the robber Will endanger his own life in shooting into the opening rather than endanger the tellers life.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved deal tray `and package passer construction in connection with a bullet resisting tellers window so that small packages may be freely passed under the window and through the deal tray, such deal tray being partially remov- 4 able for the transfer of larger articles in the package passer and being removable only when the tellers side of the' package passer is closed so that at no time can there be a free opening under the tellers window except through the deal tray.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following disclosure of a preferred form of embodiment thereof, taken in' connection with the attached drawings, illus- 50 trative thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of the tellers Window and adjacent partition structure;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section above the plane of the counter, and taken through the 55 tellers window;

iframe members I6 on each side of a window will 35 4be considered and in this area, it is necessaryl to vIll readily provides 'for the unobstructed vision notedthat the window is set' back a substantial vdistance from the edges of the counters so that Figure 3 is apartvertical section, lateral to theyteller's window and showing the deal tray construction;

vlines 6--6 and! l-lrof Figures 4 and 5. respectively. Y

In accordance with a preferred form of `em bodiment of vmy invention, the bullet proof Window IU is the transparent closure to the opening in the tellers cage or similar partition structure; The WindowV is .normally mounted above the counter,the customers side of which is in- 15 dicated at Il and the tellers side of which is indicated at l2'. The window ispreferably mounted as in a steelframe which includes a pair of vertical channels I4 extending substantially along the entire vertical side. This member has glass engaging'wall I-4a, channel walls |417 and I4c and'fflange `14d. Another member I5, which may be of angular shape engages both the Windo-wfand-the ange I4d'f'on' the-channel I4 and can be secured inany position, irrespective of 25 the YWindow thickness. Only one size of window 'frame member is needed for any thickness of window.

Although the remainder of the partition is not shown,fthe `S`shaped frame members I6 become '30 effectively secured to the partition work so that vbetween adjacent members I6 between Windows,

there` is no difficulty in closing the partition. For this reason, only the structure between adjacent have free andunobstructed vision, clear and undistorted soundtransfer,and 'safe handling of large and small packages. The clear glass panel and as hereinafter described, particular arrangeo ments areinade for the transfer of the sound wavesv and the passing of packages, etc., without danger tothe teller.v

`Referring particularly to rFinire 2, n: will be '45 in normal position, a person speaking will necessarily be away from the glass. Itrwill also be `noted inFigures' 1 and 2, that the partition mem- '50 bers I6 arespaced away from the edges rof the window'` frame I4.

These.' partition `I'r'iember's I6 include face portionsV Ilia, inwardly `projecting portions |517, an-

gular sound channelsections' |60, and they mergev 55 -red bullets, butf all others will ricochet out .65 type-,beingi'supported at the bottom by a channel to a pocket formed by Walls Id, I 6e and If. The corner formed by the walls IBd and IIe is preferably reenforced as by angle II and by rod I3. A similar rod I8 may also reenforce the corner forme'd by walls I6a, and I6b as well as the tip of the angle formed by the walls I4b and I4c in the window frame member I4.

Thewalls I4b and I6c are preferably parallel and form a voicechannel 20. 'I'his channel is offset and at an'angle to the window I0 and it opens into a chamber 2I. The channel 22 composed of parallel walls I4d and If, leads to the tellers side of the partition from this latter chamber.

The chamber 2I which vis formed by thepartition vmember walls is in' a direct line with the customers face and in' line with a gun which aY robber might shoot. It is also in front ofthe teller but the line is not direct, nor curved., This is due to the fact that the wall I6 j on the4 partition, member is in linel withthe tip formed byfthe walls I 4b and I4c on the window frame member. The result is that conversation will be In fact, there is an amvfrom the mouthv of one tothe ears of another persomthere is complete freedom of sound passage without conscious knowledge of acsolid panel between the persons. 4

There can be no bullet pass Vthrough the sound channel, however, because the course of abullet inchannel 20 lwill be into the pocket formedvby thewalls IBd, I6e and I6f ofthe partition member.`; This not only becomes a trap for directly -throughthe `channel20 toward the ring point.

` 'Iheincreased danger to a robber will serve either as aV deterrent to his shooting, or will cause a probable self-injury. AIn noevent can any bullets pass entirelythrough .the voice channel into the tellers compartment. .Injthisrespecu the structure is not only, far superior in freedom of communication, which` is Yits. primary function, but

it is. alsofar safer. in case of Ipossible ,attempted 'holdupg due to the returningV of thebulletfrom whenceiit came. f

The use of the vertical rods I8 is tonbeA particularly noted.. The round steel rods ,have an unusualy resistance to damage far in excess of the strength .expected ;of their size, dueto the Adifficulty of vstriking them head on asis thecase with. flat'plate. In my construction, they also serve another function', viz.,..that `of holding all .of the structure together and may beprovided .with.screw endsl or other means, (not shown).

They greatly. facilitate` rapid assembly of the entire, structure and l,provide the necessary strength where needed most.

.. The passage of articles, including coins, ksmall passbooks, etc., is normally accomplished in the VdeaLtray'3l)..which is supported on suitable rollers '.3I, carriedby. the track 3,2, such deal .tray normally'being in the position. shown in. Figure 3. It will be noted thatthe window IIJ is of a xed or. other structural device 33, and the packageor ccin'ltransfer is thus through-the dealftray un- .derneath'the glass panel.. .T

The pan 34 of the deal vtray..isinclineol down- Wardly and rearwardly so that anyzcoin or other article inserted in the opening 350m the cusin shooting from the customers side of the win.

dow, there is no tendency of the bullet to come outward and rearward on the' tellers side of the cage so that there is no possibility of the teller being injured. The teller can shoot into the deal tray with great effect, however, and no gun port is necessary. The slope of the forward wall facilitates this purpose.

It is to be notedt-hat therobliquity of contact of any bullet red into the deal tray causes it to expend aV large part of its effort in deflection so that as great strength is available in my structure as would be had in other structures twice as thick subjected to direct re. This improved feature also exists in the voice channel, all parts .of which are oblique to a.- shot aimed at the teller. y A

When packages must be passed under the window I vIl `which are larger than can be accommodated in the deal tray 3D,- the deal tray may be withdrawn to open up the relatively deep re- .,ceptacle 40. This is also of a bullet proof nature and is normally closed against access to the customer by the deal tray. On the tellers side, this receptacle is closed against access by the hinged cover 4I which as shown in Figure 2, is conveniently hinged at 43. If the dealrtray is in the position shown in Figure 3, the cover can be lifted up to expose the depth of the receptacle.

The deal tray maybe ldrawn toward the teller for the purpose of exposing the' opening in the receptacle 40 on the customers side and for this purpose a withdrawal hook 44 is provided. So that this deal tray may not be withdrawn eX- `cept whenr the coverv 4I is closed, I provide acam construction shown in Figure 4 and indicated at .45 which overlies the hook arm 4-6 interconnected .with the deal tray. As shown in Figure 3, the hookarm 46 is provided with an offset stop portion 47 which engages on the vertical frame Work 48 so that the deal tray may not be Withdrawn unlessthe hook portion 44 is elevated. The hook portion 44 cannot be elevated, however, unless the cam 4 5' is withdrawn and this cannot be Yaccomplished except by turning vthe knob 40 in Va ycounter-clockwise direction. The knobv 49 is .provided with cam engaging member G which operates in a suitable slot 5I within the 'cam 45, and when the knob is turned in the counterclockwise direction it will turn the cam 45- in a Vcolllnter-clockwise direction against the action of Yspring 52 which normally holds the cam 45 in a locked position.

, The knob ,49 projects through the framework A53constituting a part of the counter which is provided with a slotted portion in keyed rela- .tion` with the part 50 when in the position shown in Figure 4. The result is that when the knob is turnedl to the position shown in Figure 5 to 'release' theca'm 45 from the arm 46, the projecting member 5'Il cannot b'e raised upY through the framework 53 and the cover cannot. be

raised. A suitable spring 55 is provided toA riore mally turn the knob 49 in a clockwise direction, to force the cam, into the position shown in Figure 4 and in such position, the deal tray may not be moved.

If the customer desires to pass large articles to the teller, the teller will rotate the knob 49 to the counter-clockwise position, after which he can raise the hook 44 and pull the deal tray toward him. The deal tray is pulled to a position in which the shoulder 34e engages the channel 33 and seals the passage between the customers side of the window and the tellers side of the window. The desired opening on the customers side of the window is thus provided for the insertion of the package in the receptacle.

After the articles have been placed within the receptacle 40, the teller may remove them by pushing the deal tray to the position shown in Figure 3, during which the cover 4| may not be opened. As soon as the tray is in the position as shown in Figure 3, the retractile spring 52 will tend to force the cam 45 into the locking position shown in Figure 4 and the retractile spring 55 will turn the knob 49 so that the key member may be withdrawn through the suitable keyhole opening in the frame 53 so that the cover can be raised. At no time, however, can there be an opening into the receptacle 4D from the both sides of the partition work.

It will thus be seen that I have provided for the essential requirements of safety, clear vision and sound, and substantially fool-proof construction. The structure is readily assembled in standard sizes with minimum of costly ttings and with the least objectionable external or internal appearance. It is adaptable to any form of partition for tellers or others and may be installed independently or in conjunction with other cages.

While I have shown a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that other modifications can be made thereto, and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. In combination with a bullet resisting panel structure of the class described, a deal tray movably mounted thereunder, and a package receiver under said deal tray, and substantially covered thereby, a cover to complete the covering of said package receiver, means on one side of the panel structure to move said deal tray, means to automatically lock said moving means against movement and means to hold said locking means against unlocking unless the deal tray cover is in a position normally closing the package receiver.

2. In combination with a panel structure, means to pass articles below said structure without possibility of harm from the outer side which comprises a deal tray normally positioned under the panel and open on both sides thereof, and a package receiver below said deal tray, said deal tray substantially closing the opening in said package receiver, a cover cooperating with the deal tray and closing the remainder of the package receiver opening, means operable from only one side of said panel to slide said deal tray under said cover to expose said package receiver on the outside, and means to open said cover when said package receiver is unexposed on the outer side, to expose the package receiver on the inner side.

3; In combination with a panel structure, means to pass articles below said structure without possibility of harm from the outer side which comprises a deal tray normally positioned under the panel and open on both sides, said dealv tray having a sharply inclined bottom wall on the inner side of the panel to deflect bullets upward therefrom, and a package receiver below said deal tray, said deal tray substantially closing the opening in said package receiver, a cover` cooperating with the deal tray and ,closing the remainder of the package receiver opening, means to slide said deal tray under said cover to expose said package receiver on thev outside and means to open said cover when said package receiveris unexposed on the outer side, to expose the package receiver on the inner side, said opening means including a safety latch, said latch normally engaging said deal tray slide .means to prevent movement of the deal tray when the cover is being opened or is open.

4. A receptacle having a bottom, side walls and end walls, and a closure containing two adjacent movable sections for completely closing the top of the receptacle, means mounting one of said sections for sliding movement beneath the other to open the receptacle adjacent one end thereof, means mounting the other of said sections for movement relative to said one section to open the receptacle adjacent the other end thereof and locking means operative to prevent movementof either of said sections to open position when the other section is open.

5. A receptacle having a bottom, side Walls and end walls, and a closure including two adjacent movable sections for completely closing the top `of the receptacle, means mounting one of said sections for sliding movement beneath the other to open the receptacle adjacent one end thereof, means mounting the other of said sections for movement relative to said one section to open the receptacle adjacent the other end thereof, means for moving each section to open position, latching means individual to each of last recited means for locking each section in closed position and means operative when either of said latching means is released to actuate the other of said latching means whereby to prevent either section fro-m being opened when the other is unlocked.

6. A receptacle having a bottom, side walls and end walls, and a closure comprising two adjacent movable sections for completely closing the top of the receptacle, means mounting one of said sections for sliding movement beneath the other to open the receptacle adjacent one end thereof, means mounting the other of said sections for swinging movement about a fixed axis to open the receptacle adjacent the other end thereof, an arm extending under said latter section and connected to said slidably movable section whereby said slidable section may be drawn under the other section, latching means on said arm for engagement with a wall'of said recepout possibility of harm from the outer side which comprises a stationary package receiver positioned under saidpanel and extending on either sidethereof,l a closure including two adjacent movable sections for completely closing the top offsaid package receiver, means mounting one .of said sections for-sliding movement beneath the other to expose said package receiver on the outer side, and means to open the other of said closureV sections when saidv package receiver is unexposedon the outer side to expose the package receiver .on the inner side, said opening means including a safety latch, said latch normally engagingrsaid closure slide means to prevent movement of the slidable section when the other closure section is being opened or is open.

8. In combination with a panel structure, means to pass articles below said structure without possibility of harm from the outer side, which comprises a stationary package receiver positioned under said panel and extending on either side thereof, a closure including two adjacent movable sections for completely closing the top of said package receiver, means operable from only' one side of said panel to slide the outer closure section under the inner closure section to expose said package receiver on the outer side, and means to open said inner closure section when said package receiver is unexposed on the outer side to expose the package receiver on the inner'` side.

CLARENCE D. ELLITHORPE. 

